| Emotional abuse is the first stage of domestic | | | | intelligence or behavior; ranging from little verbal put |
| violence. You find yourself in a romantic relationship | | | | downs to name calling. He's overly critical of |
| that begins with our new partner being extremely | | | | everything you do and soon he's humiliating you in |
| attentive. He is willing to do anything for you. Things | | | | front of your family and friends. |
| progress quickly, though, perhaps faster than your | | | | His overall demeanor slowly changes as he gets |
| comfort level. He talking about marriage and kids and | | | | angry easier all the time. He's overly jealous and need |
| your not ready to go there, yet. | | | | to know where you are at all times. You start to lie |
| I will insert a disclaimer here: Not all emotional abusers | | | | to him in an attempt to keep him calm. Soon you |
| are men. Women can also be abusers. I will the male | | | | realize that he makes all decisions and he has slowly |
| pronoun in this example because the majority are | | | | taken full control of your relationship. |
| men due to their size and generally more aggressive | | | | If this describes your relationship you are the victim |
| nature (no offense, guys). | | | | of emotional abuse. I'd advise you now to get out. |
| When you try to slow him down he doesn't even | | | | Things will not get better- only worse. He may initiate |
| hear you. He never has taken "no" for an answer; | | | | stalking behaviors next, showing up unexpectedly at |
| and you didn't have the heart to give it to him. That | | | | your work or other places you normally go without |
| was a mistake on your part. When abusers are | | | | him. He will try to isolate you from your friends and |
| scouting out a partner they look for someone who | | | | family. He may start and argument with them. You |
| can't say "no". Maybe they start by offering you a | | | | would, of course side with him so as not to anger |
| drink. You really don't want on one, he insists | | | | him. His isolation process begins. |
| relentlessly until you cave and accept it. He's testing | | | | His anger becomes more frequent and escalates to |
| you. You should be testing him. When offered | | | | mean gestures, breaking things that have sentiment |
| something from someone you just met, politely | | | | value to you, even abusing your pets. He may even |
| refuse. If he perseveres (won't take "no" for an | | | | flaunt weapons to you. |
| answer) lose him immediately! He'll scout elsewhere. If | | | | Girl, the red flag was waived right in front of your |
| he's O.K. with you declining his offer, he passes that | | | | face. If you have let the emotional abuse get this far |
| test. Later you can change your mind about the | | | | you are in eminent danger! The next step is physical |
| drink, though you may have it get it yourself. | | | | violence. This won't only happen once, although he'll |
| So now you're in a relationship with Mr. Super | | | | probably swear it'll never happen again. His lying is one |
| Attentive and you notice that when he gets grouchy | | | | of his lesser sins! |
| he takes it out on you. At first he just makes | | | | You need to leave this relationship now! |
| sideways remarks to you about your appearance, | | | | |